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Bay Area eases passenger payments

Clipper, the regional fare system for 22 transit agencies, will be modernised under the new programme

Bay Area travellers will benefit from an integrated mobile app and other features

The San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has selected Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) to deliver a next-generation fare payment system to the city’s Bay Area.

CTS, a business division of Cubic Corporation, is the system provider and operator of Clipper, the regional fare programme for 22 transit agencies, which will be modernised under the new programme.

Real-time information for customers

The next-generation system will include new features such as an integrated mobile app that will support a virtual Clipper card, enabling customers to access real-time information, top up their accounts, plan trips and tap their phones through faregates and on buses in much the same way as mobile payments can be made at retailers.

Stored value and pass purchases made online and via the mobile app will be instantly available to users. The system will also be made open-payment ready for the acceptance of contactless bank cards and mobile wallet technologies as acceptance grows in the US payments market should the region decide to pursue this option.

“Over the last several years, the MTC and the regional operators have made investments in the existing Clipper system that Cubic will leverage to bring new features and benefits early, such as mobile and new bus devices, while the longer-term upgrades to the back office are completed,” said Matt Newsome, vice president and general manager, western region, CTS.

“Our solution will offer the full range of payment and account management features we are delivering to major cities around the world, including London, New York, Boston, Brisbane and Chicago.”

Each of these new technologies will be powered by Cubic’s real-time communications and data analytics supporting the company’s account-based architecture.

“Solution will offer the full range of payment and account management features being delivered to major cities around the world, including London, New York, Boston, Brisbane and Chicago”

This technology model opens a variety of new potential partnerships between transit, bike-share, ride-share, car -share, parking and other vertical transportation services falling under the mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) model.

MTC staff presented this recommendation for award to the Clipper executive board, a panel consisting of executive leadership for the major transit providers serving the region. The recommendation will then be considered 14 September by MTC’s operations committee and then by the full commission on 26 September.

“We will be honoured to continue our relationship with MTC that began in 2009 when we took over the system to design, operate and maintain the rebranded Clipper system,” added Matt Cole, president, CTS.

“The recommendation to advance us to the next board review as the preferred provider confirms our partnership, as well as the MTC’s trust in us, to deliver on the new technologies where we are the market leader, including account-based fares, mobile payment, mobile ticketing and open payments.”

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